Cleaning device for cigar-bunch concentrators



Sept. 14 1926. 1,599,962

J. F. HALSTEAD CLEANING DEVICE FOR CIGAR BUNCH OONCENTRATORS Filed Nov. 15, 1925 INVENTOR a WZZMW BY W ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 14, 1926.

UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN FREDRIK HALS TEAD, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 INTERNATIONAL CIGAR MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Application filed November 13, 1925. Serial'No. 68,870.

This invention relates to a cleaning device for cigar bunch concentrators.

In cigar bunch concentrators as heretofore known, a plurality of concentrator members are successively swung from a horizontal position, in which they receive bunches and in which bunches are trimmed, 'to a vertical position in which they co-operate with other concentrator members to effect the concentrating function. The trimming of the bunches in the concentrator members while they are in a horizontal position resulted in accumulations of trimmings on said members, and this accumulation of trimmings interfered with the proper vertical positioning of said members; in other words, the bunch trimmings prevented the concentrator members from properly co-opcrating to concentrate the bunches, unless the trimmings were frequently removed by hand.- To obviate the necessity for this frequent removal of the trimmings by hand,

is the main object of the present invention;-

and with this and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain constructions and combinations which will be hereinafter fully described and then specifically set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a device constructed in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same.

In carrying the invention into effect, there is provided a member of a cigar bunch concentrator of a known type, means for trimming a bunch in said member, also of a known type, and means for clearing said member of the trimmings which, fall upon it as the trimming operation is performed, and which would otherwise be carriedup between said member and its coacting concentrator member to interfere with the proper functioning of these parts. In the best constructions contemplated, the clearing action is effected by a brush actuated by the trimming means and sweeping the trimmings oil" the concentrator member as fast as they fall thereupon, thus avoiding an accumulation of trimmings thereon and the necessity for frequently removing them by hand. The foregoing parts and means may be varied in construction within the scope of the claims, for the particular device selected to illustrate the invent-ion is but one of numerous possible concrete embodiments of the same. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted to the precise details of the speclfic structure shown and described.

Referring to the drawings, 3 indicates a member of a cigar bunch concentrator which swings from the horizontal position in which it is shown to a vertical position in which it coacts with another concentrator member to concentrate the bunches, in the usual manner. A bunch to be acted on is brought to a. position over said memberby a traveling carrier having two parallel walls 4, 1, be-.

tween which the hunch is located and held by friction. The bunch is indicated by the reference character B.

From this carrier, the bunch is moved downwardly into the pocket of the co-ncen- 'a cam slot 12 formed in an arm 13 fulcrumed at 14 to a bracket 15 which also has bearings 16, 16 in which the rods 10, 1O slide. The arm 13 carries at its lower end a brush 17 which swings with it as the pin 11 moves up and down.

The brush 17 sweeps across the member 3 twice during the downward movement of the pin, and twice during its upward movement, so that it sweeps four times across the member 3 where trimmings fall, every time the trimmings are produced, thus effectually keeping said member clear of trimmings. This sweeping action is clearly indicated in Fig. 2 wherein the brush is shown iii full lines in its initial position, and in dotted lines in its position after the first part of the downward movement of the pin has taken place. Further downward movement of the pin swings it back again to its initial 15 ming a bunch in said means, and a brush position. On the upward movement of the pin, this double sweeping action is repeated.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with a member of a cigar bunch concentrator, of means for trimming a bunch in said member, and means for clearing said member of trimmings.

2. The combination with a member of a cigar bunch concentrator, of'means for trimming a bunch in said member, and means actuated by said trimming means for clearing said member of trimmings.

3. The combination with a member of a cigar bunch concentrator, of means for trimactuated by said trimming means for sweeping trimmings ofl said member.

4. The combination with a member of a cigar bunch concentrator, of means for trimming a bunch in said member, a pin carried by said trimming means, a stationary bracket adjacent said trimming means, an arm fulcrumed on said bracket and having a cam-slot engaging said pin to produce a swinging movement of said arm, and a brush carried by said arm to sweep trimmings ofi said member.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN FREDRIK HALSTEAD. 

